Worried about El Niño? Here’s what San Diegans need to know to prepare – San Diego Union-Tribune

Worried about El Niño? Here’s what San Diegans need to know to prepare  San Diego Union-Tribune

The County of San Diego declared a local emergency Wednesday to prepare for El Nino. Here's what locals can do to prepare. San Diego County is preparing for the impacts of a climate phenomenon known as El Niño, a result of warmer water in the Pacific Ocean that could lead to anything from heavy rainfall and flooding to mudslides and power outages. The region has already seen some of these effects with recent heat, big waves and coastal erosion. Public officials are planning ahead to face the threat of extreme weather. That includes Gov. Gavin Newsom declaring an emergency for the state on Sept. 21, San Diego County officials following suit and declaring a local emergency Wednesday and Mayor Todd Gloria making a similar announcement Friday.

These actions allow emergency officials to access resources and plan ahead for disaster. People living in San Diego County have a range of resources to consider as they prepare for possible emergency situations to occur. Here are some options to consider. San Diego County residents can learn their risks through a Know Your Risks tool at alertsandiego.org/en-us/preparedness/flooding/elnino.html. Scroll down to find the tool. Locals can type in their ZIP code and see how they may be impacted by flooding and other hazards. They can also look at the county overall to see areas to